RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims were last night celebrating a major leap forward in their bid to force five men suspected of being behind the attack into court.

RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims were last night celebrating a major leap forward in their bid to force five men suspected of being behind the attack into court.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy, also Torfaen's MP, announced the Government would provide the families with the &#xA3;800,000 they still needed to raise to fund a civil action against those suspected of the atrocity.

The move was hailed as "fantastic, unbelievable news" by Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aidan was among the 29 people killed in the Real IRA bombing.

The cash injection to the families' legal fund will enable relatives to pursue their claim for &#xA3;10m in damages against a group of suspects which includes Real IRA terror boss Michael McKevitt, who was jailed for 20 years in the Irish Republic yesterday for directing terrorism.

After months of consultation with the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy confirmed the Government had found a way to help the relatives pay the &#xA3;1.5m legal costs.

"While I recognise the legal constraints and complexities, I have always believed that this is an exceptional case and the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland and beyond want to see the families bring it to court," he said.

"The magnificent scale of the financial donations from the public to date supports that view.

"I am delighted to be able to say that these efforts have borne fruit. I have discussed the families' concerns with the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, and he has found a way to give the families the money they need to fight their case."

The Omagh bombing was the worst atrocity in Northern Ireland's history.

The Real IRA car bomb devastated the town centre on August 15, claiming victims from the Irish Republic and Spain as well as Northern Ireland.

In January 2002, father-of-four Colm Murphy became the only person to be convicted of plotting the attack.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin sentenced the Dundalk-based builder and publican to 14 years in jail.

Last summer solicitors acting on behalf of the Omagh Victims' Civil Action Group served writs on five people suspected of involvement in the bombing.

The legal documents were given to Michael McKevitt, jailed on other offences this week, Liam Campbell, and Colm Murphy in Portlaoise Jail.